Musings by Flanagan

February 9, 2012

Ah, the French! Opps, that was the last posting on the corner.

So how are y'all? Well I hope! Good day to all of you. I like ceegars! (Okay, I know they are spelled CIGARS!) Anyways, back to ceegars. I don't smoke them very much, maybe one every month or so or less, but I found one I really like a lot. They're a tinge sweet and very smooth all the way from the first to last draw. The brand name is Diamondback. They're a very economical buy at $5.35 for the Churchill sized stogie. Can't wait until next month to have one. (Remember, I said about once a month so I can't go back on that now.)

So what else should I write about as I sit here enjoyin a nice fire, and a wonderful ceegar! Opps, umm, I mean celery stick. How about something near and dear to all of us, the Roman Legion!! According to Steve Crawford's book "Strange But True military Facts," a Roman Century of men had not one hundred men as one would think, but rather 80! (Hmmm, any French connection there?) Maybe using all those Latin numerals made it a lot harder to keep track back then and they lost count. Who knows?

January 13, 2012Well Hi y'all! It's been quite awhile since I've been talkin to everyone out there. (IS anyone out there?) I sure hope that Christmas, New Years and any other holiday celebrations went well. (On a serious note, I sure wish the whole Christmas thing could get back to a simpler, awe inspired look at my Lord Jesus Christ's birth and what His birth, life, death and resurrection would mean for all mankind with simpler family gatherings to share love and life. Too much about all the presents needed to get and be gotten. Ugh!)

Okay enough preachin. Time to get to work after my hiatus. Hiatus? Kinda sounds like a tropical flower doesn't it? I kind of like flowers, mostly growing in the garden or especially the wild ones like I see on my nature hikes. My wife of course loves flowers especially wild flowers of purple (her favorite color) and yellow. She loves to get flowers at home too. And that brings to mind, why don't guys get flowers sent to them very much? Don't manly men like the beauty of flowers too? I do! That doesn't mean I'm not a manly man does it?? Well, of course not!!!! Now I don't much care for flowery wall paper or that flowery looking contact paper folks put in their kitchen drawers and such. Oh sure, I could go on and on here about this important subject, but I digest.

Here is an interesting little bit of history for all of you guys. Now I mean guys generically as in guys and girls. Used to have to explain that to my classes and ...............Oh no, there I go again! Ok back to the topic, history! And my favorite military subject......the French!! (The French?)

Did you know that at one point in the 17th century, the French Army was losing as many as 120 officers a year to duels among themselves!? Huh? Yup, shooting each other instead of the enemy. But it gets better! There were two French cavalry officers named Fournier and DuPont. They fought their 1st duel in 1794 in which neither died and Fournier demanded a rematch. This rematch lasted NINETEEN years as the two fought at least 30 duels. They dueled on horseback, dismounted, with swords, rapiers, sabers, pistols and many other weapons. Both were bloodied, but neither died. Wouldn't a nice talk over a cold beer made more sense? Of course, but remember who we are dealing with here. (Strange But True Military Facts by Steve Crawford)

So what does one say to a story like that? Nothing, but....."Ah....the French!

Hey guys (And girls as the case may be), have ya ever had a rival for someone affections? Why is that person called a rival? Where does that term even come from to mean someone who is either an enemy or another contender for something you want? Well, don't rack yer brains too much as I'm going to tell ya. This term was first noted in the late 1500's. Rivals is a simple derivation from the word "river" since such geographical features have long formed natural boundaries between warring factions and nations.(Sticklers, Sideburns and Bikinis by Graeme Donald)

So there ya go! Now ya know! So go out there and beat that rival by jumping in that river and win yer girls heart! What??????

_I'm back! Hope all is well with everyone. Anyone ever had to eat some
humble pie? Knew you were right, but found out you were wrong or in some
way put in your place? I've been there way to often myself. Well, where
in tarnation did they ever get such a phrase for such a situation?
Guess what, I'm gonna tell ya!

Back in the early
days, a long time ago, like the 1500's, in wealthy homes the best parts
of the pig (Bacon....yum!) were eaten by the family. The guts , heart
and such were known as humbles and were fed to the lower class servants
of the family. These "delicious" parts of the pig were baked in pies and
called humble pie. Thus when you have been put in your proper place for
some reason you are eating HUMBLE PIE! Neat huh!?

Folks,
I'm not sure I want to be eatin humble pie. Love a cherry and a nicely
sugar and cinnamon glazed top crust, apple pie though. Or during this
time of year a really good pumpkinpie!! Yum yum!

Hello once again y'all! It's been awhile since my last posting. I hope all is well with anyone who may be reading these musings. Today I have some thoughts on what I believe is an all to familiar picture of a soldier reenactors day at most mainstream Civil War events. Now before I get everyone riled up, I know that there are many exceptions for different people, units and events to the following thoughts. I also do not say anything or anyone is "wrong" with the picture I will give of the typical soldiers day. Whew! I could feel the heat already!

Does this sound familiar? The morning starts with soldiers arising at various times and eventually there is the morning roll call. (I am leaving out quite a few fun aspects of things mentioned) Then along with breakfasts being made, morning constitutionals, chatting with mess mates, we wait for the morning drill. This may be a company drill or also include separate battalion maneuvers at some larger events. Then there is a break for lunch back in camp whether it is a strictly military camp or mixed civilian and military, the time being set for the men to be back in camp to form up for the afternoon battle. Folks scatter to their tents and or family, go to sutlers (if there are any) or maybe just lounge about either getting some extra sleep, talking with pards or enjoying a puff on a cigar or pipe. The call is soon given to form for battle, the battle is fought and then back to camp. The days events are near finished. Thespectators who have possibly browsed through camp before may return for one last look to watch us relax after a hard fought battle. Soon the last "tator" is gone and we are done with the days soldierin!

Once again I know I have left out things like the possible awkward squad vignette, mail call or the occasional questions by spectators asked throughout the day, etc, etc, etc, I am not suggesting that we turn all events into a total immersion, hardcore campaign style, soldier only event. The hobby is enjoyed by many at various levels of authenticity and involvement which is the way it is with any hobby. What I'm suggesting is that maybe things can be tweaked here and there to involve the reenactor and spectator a bit more. For example, when doing an awkward squad detail needed to catch up rusty vets or train fresh fish, toss in a vet or two acting as a newbie, goofing up and being firmly redirected by the corporal in charge of the detail. Perhaps when doing company drill, leave behind some seasoned vets to stay back and lay their haversack, blanket roll/knapsack contents out to show folks what the common soldier possibly carried during the war. When doing drill, do it close by where most of the paying customers can see it rather than going away quite a distance where only a few will go. Even pre-arrange some drill scenarios where the company goofs up a movement and is dressed down by the commanding officer or sergeant, maybe focusing on a paricular private who is the crux of the problem. Drill still gets done, but it varies things for the reenactor and paying public. As far as camp scenarios there are quite a few things that can be done to not only teach the public, but to include some variety for the reenactor as well. I, just as well as many may not sleep well at events and feel tired and just want to kick back and relax at these times. That is okay because we don't all need to be "on stage" the whole day, but once again remember, people have paid to see us in action, not as living museum pieces or lounging lions in the zoo. What about some company punishments, officers pouring over maps with other officers and nco's issuing various fictional orders, patrols beings sent out on fictitious missions etc. Sick call could be ordered, rifle cleaning being done period style...... and so on. Again not everyone would need to be on the go the entire time or have each and every idea done at each and every event. You get the picture I hope.

I'll tell ya folks, my brain is tired just thinking about all this! I'm sure there are MANY more ideas as well that could be done to keep things alive for ALL involved. I for one will volunteer to miss drill and stay back to smoke my pipe for the spectators.

Hey, I have a thought for y'all. Why are there corporals in the army? Aren't they just glorified privates? Then when these corporals are made into sergeants, are they really that much smarter or better soldiers than they were as privates? Then some get elevated to be a 2nd lieutenant. Isn't going into battle without a 2nd lieutenant like going into battle without an accordion player? Enough said there. Then maybe the former private, corporal, sgt, 2nd Lt. gets to be a real officer like a Captain or higher. Is that really a big deal? I 've heard it said on good authority that some officers aren't fit to poor pee out of a boot with instructions written on the heel! Of course that brings into question why would an officer pour pee out of a boot and what in tarnation is that pee doing in that boot anyhow?? Officers!? I guess that was more than just one thought. My head hurts from all this deep thinking!

"Did you ever wonder where we got the word 'ammonia' from? You haven't? Well I am going to tell you anyhow...The ancient temple of Ammon at Siwa in the Libyan Desert attracted thousands of pilgrims, who left their camels tied up near by. Over the centuries, the sand soaked up thousands of gallons of camel urine. When the oasis was commandeered by the Roman Army in 106 B.C. for a new garrison, the troops digging out the initial defenses found large and foul smelling crystals of sal ammoniac which were shipped back to Rome, and named after the garrison. Once alerted to the cleansing powers of ammonia, all garrisons began to collect urine everyday for use in the laundry and the daily oral hygiene drill." (Sticklers, Sideburns, and Bikinis, by Graeme Donald)

Whenever we head out for early morning drill at an event...after I am finished pounding the coffee beans in my tin cup of course, we end up have a FIELD DAY! What? A field day you ask? How is drilling and reviewing such a field day?Well this is how I know it is a field day. Since the 18th century, "field day" has been used in the military to mean a day set aside for practicing maneuvers and reviews, hence the sense of occasion. When the designation was adopted into general speech it acquired negative overtones; "no need to make a field day out of it" as a rebuke to those who make too much fuss over a minor event.(Sticklers, Sideburns, and Bikinis by Graeme Donald) So maybe we shouldn't make such a big deal out of our drilling so early in the morning from now on and sleep in a bit?